Our digital pacifier. . .

A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple substitute given to infants and toddlers to suckle on between feedings, helping to soothe them by satisfying their natural sucking reflex.   So Wiki says.  According to the same, using a pacifier can provide several advantages for both babies and parents:

Comfort and Soothing

• Satisfies sucking reflex: Babies have a strong natural desire to suck, which can be calmed with a pacifier.
• Helps with sleep: Pacifiers can assist babies in falling asleep faster and may help them stay asleep longer.

Every parent knows the value of a good pacifier.  At the same time, every parent knows when the pacifier has to go.  While pacifiers can be beneficial for very specific uses, there are also potential downsides.  In the category of Dependency Issues, the problem is the pacifier can be habit-forming; babies may become reliant on pacifiers for comfort, leading to nighttime awakenings if the pacifier falls out.  Not mention the health concerns:  nipple confusion: introducing a pacifier too early can interfere with breastfeeding, as babies may prefer the easier sucking of a pacifier over nursing and dental problems: prolonged use of pacifiers can affect dental development, particularly if used beyond the age of two.  There are studies to suggest that children who use pacifiers may have a higher incidence of ear infections compared to those who do not.  In conclusion, pacifiers can be a helpful tool for soothing infants, but parents should weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks. It's essential to use them wisely and consider weaning off before significant dental issues arise.

Apparently we are wiser about pacifiers that you stick in the mouth than the ones you place in hands before eyes.  Have our screens become pacifiers?  Have we learned to turn to then for comfort and soothing in our time of angst, uncertainty, and fear of personal interaction?  Screens both create problems and become the solution kids and adults reach for, forming what some researchers call a “vicious cycle.”  Using smartphones as ‘digital pacifiers’ or ‘dummies’ is an increasing phenomenon in our modern society, where smartphones serve as soothing tools, digital pacifiers, for toddlers, teens, and adult.  While the term ‘pacifier’ or ‘dummy’ traditionally refers to a rubber object designed to calm babies by satisfying their innate sucking reflex, the concept has evolved in the digital age to include handheld electronic devices, particularly those with smaller screens -- smartphones and tablets.  

We all know that kids are glued to their devices.  The allure of smartphones as digital pacifiers is obvious. This is the generation who never allows themselves to be bored – or is it because we don’t allow them to be bored?  With vibrant screens, engaging apps, and an endless array of entertainment options, smartphones possess an inherent ability to captivate young minds and momentarily alleviate distress or boredom. Whether it’s the engaging visuals, interactive stories, educational videos, or soothing music, these devices offer an abundance of stimuli we have used to effectively distract, calm, or entertain children of all ages and this is what we carry into adulthood.  It has become our default.

In some ways, our digital devices have become tools that we use in place of religion, perhaps even the reason why the nones are growing.  We turn to the things we can hold in our hands and control in place of the God who comes in means and whom we must trust because He is in control.